Patents by Inventor Philippe Lassiaz

Philippe Lassiaz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5082098
    Abstract: An automotive clutch has a diaphragm coupled to a clutch actuating member through a locating member and a coupling clip, the latter being arranged to join the clutch actuating member to the locating member by means of a snap fit. A "cage" is defined axially between the locating member and a retaining plate which is disposed on the side of the locating member opposite to the diaphragm. The assembly further includes a resilient member having a plurality of tongues extending axially through the diaphragm, and is hooked on the retaining plate by means of these tongues. The resilient member is arranged on the side of the diaphragm opposite to the locating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Christian Gay, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4923044
    Abstract: A clutch control device, particularly for automotive vehicles, comprises a manoeuvring member which is coupled axially with a working element which engages the relevant part of the actuating member of the clutch itself. The manoeuvring member and working element are coupled together through a retaining shroud, using an assembly device which comprise a plurality of tabs or lugs projecting from a lateral wall of the retaining shroud and which are able to slide in corresponding axial grooves formed in the manoeuvring member until they leave the grooves on the face of the manoeuvring member opposite to that at which they were introduced. Relative rotation is then carried out between the retaining shroud and the manoeuvring member, so as to engage the tabs securely in radial recesses formed in the radial portion of the manoeuvring member, the recesses being offset by a predetermined angle from the axial grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Christian Gay, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4919246
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly of two members (10, 11). The first member (11) has a thrust portion (16) whereby it bears axially on the second member (10), on a first surface of the latter. The first member also has tabs (17) whereby it extends through the second member (10). Between the second member (10) and the tabs (17) of the first member (11), on the surface of the second member opposite to first member, an axially acting resilient ring (22) of the Belleville washer type is interposed. The invention is particularly applicable to the diaphragm of a clutch mechanism, particularly for an automobile, whereby it is attached to the securing member carried on the diaphragm to permit a declutching surface to be attached to the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Christian Gay, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4890711
    Abstract: The invention concerns a control system of the kind employing a clutch release bearing which, in response to a control device is adapted to act axially in a positive manner, in one direction, on a clutch release diaphram controlling the clutch. In accordance with the invention, the clutch release which is a double-acting clutch release bearing, being adapted to act axially equally well in both directions in order to absorb excess torque transmitted through the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Roger Carmillet, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4883155
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing comprises a drive member through which it is adapted to operate on the clutch release device of a clutch. It also comprises an operating member through which it is adapted to be operated on by a clutch release yoke. The operating member incorporates two recesses the bottom of each of which faces axially towards the drive member and forms a transverse bearing facet. Each of the recesses is adapted to interlock with the clutch release yoke to prevent rotation of the clutch release bearing about its axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Christian Gay, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4881629
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing assembly of the kind comprising an operating element and a drive element which, by a flanged edge, is axially applied against a flange of the operating element. For the corresponding axial application and retention of the assembly, an elastic washer bears on the drive element; this elastic washer is provided with at least one lug having a transverse shoulder by which it is engaged with the operating element.The lug of the elastic washer is prolonged beyond its transverse shoulder and at its end is provided with a right-angled flange. This facilitates the use of a tool which co-operates with the lugs during assembly of the release bearing. The arrangement is particularly applicable to self-centering clutch release bearings for automobile vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Christian Gay, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4878572
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing for an automobile vehicle has an operating member controllable by the clutch release fork and a drive member adapted to act on the fingers of the clutch diaphragm. The drive member comprises a roller bearing having a non-rotatable race formed with a flange for engaging the operating member, a roller cage, and a rotatable race for contact with the diaphragm. The operating member and the drive member are held together by a spring washer which during assembly of the release bearing is engaged and flipped over into position by a fitting bearing which is formed on the roller cage between the rotatable race and the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Christian Gay, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4872539
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing intended to act by traction. The clutch release bearing is fitted with a coupling device which is elastically deformable radially. The coupling device is attached through the intermediary of a coupling piece to a declutching device of the clutch. A bearing is provided to bear on the declutching device. The bearing has a bistable resilient washer which in a waiting position holds the coupling device in a retracted position, and through the intermediary of a ring frees the coupling device in the operating position. The clutch release bearing is particularly applicable to a self-centering clutch release bearing for automobiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Christian Gay, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4854436
    Abstract: An improvement to clutch release bearings which comprise an operating element and a drive element retained together and controlled by axially-acting elastic members formed by a limited number of separate elastic clamps. The elastic clamps are operable to apply a radial flange of the drive element against a radial flange of the operating element. Each elastic clamp comprises an axial part and a radial part. The axial part extends across the flange of the operating element through an opening in the flange. Two axial channels are provided in association with this opening to hold this elastic clamp radially in place. The invention is particularly applicable to self-centering clutch release bearings for automobiles wherein the bearings are capable of permanent self-centering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Philippe Lassiaz, Gino Villata, Carlo Beccaris
  • Patent number: 4852710
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing comprises a maneuvering member operated on by a control member, usually a clutch release yoke. A drive member in direct or indirect axial bearing engagement with the maneuvering member, when operated on by the latter, operates on the clutch release device of a clutch. An axially acting spring washer of the Belleville spring type urges the drive member against the maneuvering member and retains the drive membering relative to the maneuvering member in the axial direction. This spring washer is able to turn inside out selectively so as to assume one or other of two separate stable configurations. One of these is a concave configuration and the other is a convex configuration. One configuration is an inoperative configuration and the other is an operative one. One peripheral edge of the spring washer bears axially on the drive member when it is in the operative configuration. On its other peripheral edge is a set of lugs through which it bears on the maneuvering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Christian Gay, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4789052
    Abstract: This is a "pull" type clutch release bearing. There are provided, on the one hand, abutment means adapted for circumferential bearing engagement, in a first direction, of the clutch release bearing on a member external thereto, on rotation of the clutch release bearing about its axis, and, on the other hand, a bracing member adapted to oppose any retrograde rotation of the clutch release bearing after such circumferential bearing engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Christian Gay, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4782935
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing assembly comprises a clutch release bearing adapted to be coupled to a clutch release device of a clutch by a coupling part attached to the clutch release device. This coupling part comprises a radial bearing flange adapted to bear axially on the clutch release device and an axial bush passing axially through the clutch release device. The assembly further comprises a drive part on the clutch release bearing and a fastening device operative in traction between the coupling part and the drive part. This fastening device fastens the coupling part and the drive part together in the axial direction from the clutch release device to the clutch release bearing. It comprises an annular coupling member carried by either the coupling part or the drive part. This is elastically deformable in the radial direction. There is a transverse drive bearing surface on the other part and the annular coupling member bears axially on this drive bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Christian Gay, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4750601
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing suitable for automobile vehicles comprises an operating element designed to be acted on directly or indirectly by a control member. In practice this is a clutch release yoke. It also comprises a drive member designed to operate on the clutch release device of a clutch. This bears axially on the operating element either directly or indirectly. Coupling means couple the drive element to the operating element in the axial direction. The coupling means are in one piece with a substantially plane plate and have a generally U-shaped configuration, with two parallel arms joined by an arch-shaped curve middle part. They consist of two clips disposed at diametrically opposite positions relative to each other. Each is formed from a respective arm of the aforementioned plate, the whole forming a single member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Christian Gay, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4733762
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing assembly comprises a coupling part adapted to couple a clutch release bearing to a clutch release device of a clutch. The coupling part is attached to the clutch release device. A drive part forms part of the clutch release bearing and there is an annular retaining groove on the coupling part or the drive part. A fastening device operative in traction between the coupling part and the drive part couples these parts together in the axial direction from the clutch release device to the clutch release bearing. The fastening device comprises an annular coupling member which is elastically deformable in the radial direction and at least partly engaged in the annular retaining groove. It further comprises a substantially transverse drive bearing surface on the other (coupling or drive) part, on which the coupling member bears axially in the axial direction in question. There is a groove in the same part as the drive bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Christian Gay, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4733763
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing assembly comprises a coupling part which is adapted to couple a clutch release bearing to a clutch release device of a clutch. The coupling part is attached to the clutch release device. Part of the clutch release bearing forms a drive part. There is an annular retaining groove on one of the coupling and drive parts. A fastening device operative in traction between the coupling part and the drive part is adapted to couple these parts together in the axial direction from the clutch release device to the clutch release bearing. The fastening device comprises an annular coupling member which is elastically deformable in the radial direction and at least partially engaged in the annular retaining groove. It further comprises a substantially transverse drive bearing surface on the other of the aforementioned coupling and drive parts on which this coupling member bears axially in the axial direction in question. There is a groove in the same part as this drive bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Christian Gay, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4697681
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing comprises a drive element through which it is adapted to apply traction to the clutch release device of a clutch and an operating element through which it is adapted to be operated on by a control member. It further comprises a cover with a radial lip for coupling the operating element axially to the driving element. A coupling part attached to the clutch release device has retaining fingers and is fastened to the drive element. Structure is provided for limiting insertion of the drive element into the coupling part fastened to the operating element, consisting of angularly separated axial bearing lands alternating with openings and adapted to serve as abutments facing the coupling part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Christian Gay, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4667800
    Abstract: The inner race of a clutch release bearing is axially extended to act as an engagement element in a pull-type clutch release mechanism. The engagement element is coupled to the diaphragm of the clutch by means of a sub unit preassembled on the diaphragm and consisting of a piece for acting on the diaphragm and an elastic retention means. The engagement element is coupled to the sub unit by means of a fixing ring which is held in place by the elastic retention means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Philippe Lassiaz, Bernard Mallet
  • Patent number: 4664241
    Abstract: In a clutch cover assembly there is associated with the clutch release device a coupling member adapted to permit a clutch release bearing to be coupled to the clutch release device by means of a coupling ring. Means are further provided for axially coupling the coupling member to the clutch release device. These coupling means are integral with the coupling ring and are formed by appropriately shaped parts of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Pierre Renaud, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4660701
    Abstract: According to this assembly, the means of fixing in terms of traction, which are used between the engagement piece (25) of the clutch release bearing (10) and the gripping piece (13) attached to the disengaging device (11) to be controlled, comprise, on the one hand, a fixing ring (32) engaged in a retaining groove (33) provided in the engagement piece (25) and, on the other hand, a driving bearing surface (34) provided on the gripping piece (13).According to the invention, that flank of the retaining groove (33) which is axially located on the side opposite the driving bearing surface (34) in relation to the fixing ring (32) is oblique relative to the axis of the unit as a whole.The invention is used, in particular, for clutch release bearings of motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Philippe Lassiaz, Bernard Mallet
  • Patent number: 4648499
    Abstract: In a clutch release bearing there is provided a groove for the coupling ring ensuring its coupling to the coupling member provided to this end on the side of the clutch release device to be operated opposite that facing the clutch release bearing. The flank of this groove disposed on the side of the clutch release bearing forms part of a decoupling member mounted to slide axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Dominique Despres, Philippe Lassiaz